My middle school years were crazy as well from Sept 93 - June 96.

I know I may be bias but I feel that Hip-Hop was in its best years throughout my middle school and high school years.

I was actually going to make a 1996 4th Quarter (including Sept) appreciation post because I started pulling out all of those album from that time and I'm always baffled at how many quality albums came out during 1996.

1996 (first half of freshman year - I'll do '97 with my sophomore)
Ghostface Killah - Ironman
MOP - Firing Squad
Outkast - ATLiens (dropped Aug 27th so was still fresh)
The Roots - Illadelph Halflife
Jeru the Damaja - Wrath of the Math
Mobb Deep - Hell On Earth
Redman - Muddy Waters
Xzibit - At The Speed of Life
PMD - Business is Business
Pac - Makaveli
Big Noyd - Episodes of A Hustler
Keith Murray - Enigma
Snoop Dogg - Doggfather
OGC - Da Storm
and that is JUST the 4th quart releases that I can remember off hand and I know I'm missing a few. not to mention the summer gave us It Was Written, Riding Dirty, Legal Drug Money, Stakes Is High, Beats, Rhymes, & Life and more.

A few joints that sticks out to me during this time period are;

Ghostface Killah - All That I Got Is You (featuring Mary J)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJRIp2h88ZU&feature=fvst

Redman - Whateva Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdx6Z7qujIA&ob=av2e

Xzibit - Paparazzi (lost my damn mind when I first heard this joint on the radio!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5UTTHeRnZE

Mobb Deep - Hell On Earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIi7J1riB2w&feature=fvst

Jeru - Ya Playin' Yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8e76XpXD1o

1997 - 1998 (second half of freshman year and sophomore year)
O.C. - Jewelz (summer of 97)
Royal Flush - Ghetto Millionaire
Wu-Tang - Forever
Gang Starr - Moment of Truth
AZ - Pieces of A Man
Goodie Mob - Still Standing
Capone-N-Noreaga - The War Report
Biggie - Life After Death
Scarface - Untouchable
Rakim - The 18th Letter
Jay-Z - Vol. 1
Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night
Organized Konfusion - Equinox
Cru - Da Dirty 30
Artifacts - That's Them
Common - One Day It'll All Make Sense
Beatnuts - Stone Crazy
Alkaholiks - Likwidation
Diamond D - Hatred, Passions, & Infidelities
Tracey Lee - Many Facez
DMX - It's Dark and hell Is Hot
Big Pun - Capital Punishment
Lox - Money, Power, & Respect
DJ Muggs - Soul Assassins
Onyx - Shut Em Down
Black Star - Black Star

a few stand out joints were;

O.C. - Far From Yours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_dusKFTN_U

Gang Starr - Royalty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnOw4J1pFN8

Wu-Tang - Triumph
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isumZjs3dKA

Common - Reminding Me (Of Sef)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQfq62N_Jxs

Black Star - Definition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5aVI2zsFE

1998-1999 (Junior year)
Pete Rock - Soul Survivor
L-Boogie - Miseducation (summer of 98)
Xzibit - 40 Dayz & 40 Nights (summer of 98)
Outkast - Aquemini
MOP - First Family 4 Life (summer of 98)
La The Darkman - Heist of the Century
DJ Quik - Rhythm-al-ism
Brand Nubian - Foundation
Nas - I Am
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
Prince Paul - A Prince Among Thieves
Busta Rhymes - ELE

a few joints from this year are ;

Nas - Nas Is Like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC4ORS5n9Hg&ob=av2e

Pete Rock - Tru Master (feat Deck & Kurupt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juv-BZgqoRk

Outkast - Rosa Parks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjRPBrmu1WQ

Xzibit - What U See Is What U Get
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3UZyqmxFBA

Busta Rhymes - Gimme Some Mo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2asIbbS9aQ&feature=fvst

1999-2000 (Senior year)
Dr Dre - Chronic 2001
Mos Def - Black On Both Sides
Mobb Deep - Murda Muzik
P Monch - Internal Affairs
Meth & Red - Blackout!
Common - Like Water For Chocolate
Slum Village - Fantastic Vol 2
Ghostface - Supreme Clientele
Kweli & Hi-Tek - Train of Thought
Dead Prez - Let's Get Free
Zion I - Mind Over Matter
Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP
DITC - Worldwide

few joints;

Common - The Sixth Sense
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTGxPiEg7iM

Mobb Deep - Quiet Storm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvCp-N-9JEw

Red & Meth - Da Rockwilder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLcRMqKOzqM

Dr Dre - Still Dre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCoski5rTR4&feature=fvst

P Monch - Simon Says
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Fy5w2klbg

damn, I know I left something out too LOL!